Artist Statement

     Growing up homeschooled in the stringent constraints of a conservative household and being a victim of neglect and abuse, my journey has been a continuous evolution towards self-discovery, autonomy, and artistic expression. The influences of my formative years, marked by suppressed voices, stringent gender roles, and unyielding boundaries, serve as the fabric of my artistic endeavors, emphasizing feminism, autonomy, and the continuous quest for self-fulfillment. 

     Twenty years ago, I felt an awakening during my first college class.  My professor walked in and wrote, “The mind is not a vessel to be filled but a fire to be kindled.” That spark started my journey of self-discovery, a realization of my inherent feminism in a world where my voice was stifled. My experiences growing up in an environment that mirrored Duggar-level conservatism became my foundation, shaping my artistry and drive for independence. 

     Art was never encouraged as a legitimate pursuit in my early years; it was a quiet, inconspicuous hobby, a silent rebellion against the expectations of pursuing careers in teaching, nursing, or engineering. However, after years of exploration, earning multiple associate degrees, still denying art as a valid pursuit, I went back to school to finish my bachelor's and follow my true calling in art, drawing from my experiences, wisdom, and newfound understanding of myself and my beliefs. 

     As I embrace my identity, my home mirrors my journey, a reflection of my past and current self. My connection to my home, built in 1957, serves as a metaphor for my transformation. Every remodel, every change, aligns with my evolution, a physical representation of my departure from a past of suppression and helplessness. 

     The empowerment I have experienced is paralleled in my works, inspired by figures like Leonora Carrington and Louise Bourgeois, whose feminist ideals and representations of their struggles and familial relationships resonate with my experiences. My projects, like their works, explore the lingering effects of childhood pain and the constant battle with one's past.  Similar to these two inspirations, Womanhouse by Miriam Shapiro and Judy Chicago also holds a profound place for me. I was raised to feel helpless, spending far too long waiting for things to happen. Like these two women, rebuilding and renovating my own home has been a metaphor for my own artistic and emotional journey.  

     I utilize Assemblage Sculpture and revisit old works, exploring large installation pieces and incorporating elements from my home in my “Reconstruction Era,” as a symbol of doing better now that I know better. The work symbolizes a passage from a world of suppression to one of liberation and self-discovery, narrating tales of resilience and transformation and serving as my response, my dialogue with the world, echoing the contrast between my constrained upbringing and the freedom I found in art. My journey has taught me the value of authenticity and the power in displaying raw emotions, transforming them into pieces that are full of life and poised for trouble. 

     My artwork is a manifestation of my struggle for freedom, my battle with societal and familial expectations, and my journey towards self-discovery and empowerment. It reflects my past and present, a narrative of resilience, and a continuous exploration of identity, feminism, and transformation.